Dispensing container



April 5, 1966 v. E. KOHN EITAL DISPENSING CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 18, 1965 FIG. 6

INVENTORS 104702 5- @am/ #58552 2. 424;; BY

,4z-raeA/ 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 V- E. KOHN ETAL DI SPENS I NG CONTAINER April 5, 1966 Filed Feb. 18, 1965 United States Patent 3,244,333 DISPENSING CONTAINER Victor E. Kohn and Herbert R. Grail, both Chembrand Corp., 22 Sintsink Drive E., Port Washington, N.Y. Filed Feb. 18, 1965, Ser. No. 433,714 6 Claims. (Cl. 222386) The present invention relates in general to containers, and in particular, to a dispensing container.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a highly novel and generally improved dispensing container which is particularly adapted to serve as a combined shipping and dispensing recepticle for hand creams and other plastic substances.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a highly novel and generally improved wiper gasket means for a dispensing container of the described type.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a dispensing container which will be highly eflicient in operation and which nevertheless can be manufactured and sold at a relatively low price.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from a consideration of the following specification taken in connection with the appended drawings.

FIGURE 1 is an exploded view of a dispensing container pursuant to the present invention with portions being broken away and shown in section for purposes of illustration.

FIGURE 2 is a view taken in the direction of the arrows 22 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation of the dispensing container with its cover removed and portions thereof being broken away and shown in section for purposes of illustration.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary detailed view on an enlarged scale.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary detail view on an enlarged scale and illustrates a modified form of wiper gasket.

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5 and shows the gasket in another position thereof within the dispensing container.

FIGURE 7 is an exploded view of a dispensing container, with portions being broken away for purposes of illustration, and shows a modified form of follower-plate assembly.

FIGURE 8 is a side elevation view of the dispensing container illustrated in FIGURE 7 with portions thereof broken away and shown in section for purposes of illustration.

FIGURE 9 is a top plan view of the wiper gasket plate assembly utilized in the dispensing container illustrated in FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary detail view on an enlarged scale of a portion of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary detail view of a portion of FIGURE 8 and illustrates a modification; and

FIGURE 12 is a View similar to FIGURE 11 with the wiper gasket plate assembly shown in another position thereof.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 through 4 in detail, there is shown a dispensing container 10 pursuant to the present invention. The dispensing container 10 comprises a body member 12 which is provided with a cover 14. The body member 12 is in the form of a cylindrical can, as here shown, preferably formed of tin or other suitable material. The body member 12 is provided with a cylindrical side wall 16, a closed bottom wall 18 and an open upper or top end 20 defined by a peripheral rim 22. Below the rim 22 the cylindrical wall 16 is provided with an outwardly bowed step 24. The cover member 14 is a conventional cap type cover which is adapted to fit over the rim 22 so as to close the open upper end 20 and the cap when in its closed position, extends to the step 24.

The can body member 12 is provided with a suitable material generally indicated by the reference numeral 26 which is to be dispensed therefrom. The material 26 is in flow able or plastic form and for example may be constituted by a hand cream or hand lotion or any other material suitable for the purpose. Pursuant to a feature of the present invention, provision is made within the can body 12 for an annular plate 28. As herein shown, the plate 28 is provided with an annular upwardly extending flange 30 which terminates in an annular peripheral rim 32. The plate 28 is provided also with a depressed strengthening portion 34 and with a central dispensing aperture 36. The aperture 36 is closed by a suitable adhesive strip 38 which is secured thereover and remains in position until it is desired to dispense the contents of the can. Pursuant to a feature of the present invention, the annular plate 28 is provided with a wiper gasket 40, As here shown, the wiper gasket 40 is in the form for an annular hollow resilient tube which is mounted about the annular flange 30 below the peripheral rim 32.

FIGURE 1 illustrates the dispensing container 10 filled with the material 26 to be dispensed therefrom, the dispensing aperture 36 being closed or covered by the strip 38 and the wiper gasket 40 seated in the arcuate step 24 which is the normal position for the gasket when the full amount or supply of the material 26 is provided within the can body member 12. However, in order to dispense the material 26 from the dispensing container 10, the cover 14 is first removed from the can body 12 and the adhesive closure strip 38 is then removed from the dispensing aperture 36.

Thereafter a relatively slight downward pressure on the plate 28, as indicated by the arrow 42, will cause the material 26 to be forced upwardly through the opening 36 as indicated by the arrows 44 so as to be dispensed outwardly from the plate 28 as indicated by the arrows 46. In this manner a desired amount of the material 26 may be dispensed from within the can body 12 to a position on the upper surface of the plate 28. As best shown in FIGURE 3, the downward movement of the plate 28 will cause the wiper gasket 40 to be moved downwardly from its position within the seat 24, as shown in FIGURE 1, downwardly along the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 16 so as to be compressed between the upwardly and outwardly extending flange 30 and the inner surface of the wall 16, as best shown in FIGURE 3. Said compression of the gasket 40 causes a clean efficient and sanitary wiping action along the inner surface of the wall 16 so as to force any of the material on the wall 16 downwardly into the body of the material as the plate 28 is forced downwardly. Continued downward movement of the plate 28 as illustrated in FIGURE 4 causes the compressed gasket to be positioned and further compressed upwardly along the outer surface of the flange 30, the rim 32 narrowing the space between the flange and the inner surface of the wall 16 so as to prevent the escape of the gasket from the flange.

Referring now to FIGURES 5 and 6, there is illustrated a modified form of gasket 40. The modified form of gasket is indicated by the reference numeral 40A, and it will be understood that all other portions of the dispensing container 10 illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6 are exactly the same as those shown in FIGURES 1 through 4. It will be noted that the gasket 40A instead of being in the form of a hollow tube, is in the form of a solid annular member preferably formed of sponge rubber or other suitable material. The wiping action provided by the gasket 40A is exactly the same as provided by the gasket 40, as the gasket 40A moves downwardly from its position in step 24 as shown in FIGURE 5 to its lower position on the inner surface of the wall 16 as shown in FIGURE 6. It will be noted that the gasket is forced downwardly it is compressed as shown in FIGURE 6 and extends upwardly along the outer surface of the upwardly and outwardly extending flange toward the rim 32 thereof. From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the compression of the gasket or 40A upon moving downwardly from the step 24 in response to the downward movement of the plate, diaphragm or follower 28 causes the pressure to be applied firmly against the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 16 to provide a good wiping action in addition to providing a sanitary seal for the material 26. Consequently, the maximum content of the can body 12 is available as the follower plate 28 moves downwardly towards the bottom wall 18 thereof, the gasket tending to ride or move relatively upward along the inclined surface of the flange 30 which, as best shown in FIGURES 4, 5 and 6, is inclined upwardly and outwardly toward the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 16.

Referring now to FIGURES 7 through. 10 in detail, there is shown a dispensing container 10 which is provided with a modified form of follower plate gasket assembly 48 from that previously illustrated and described. In all other respects, the dispensing container is the same as that previously described in connection with FIGURES 1 through 6. In lieu of the previously described follower plate gasket assembly which is constituted by the follower plate 28 and the gasket 40 or 40A, as the case may be, the follower plate gasket assembly 48 comprises a pair of superimposed cylindrical follower plates 50 and 52 which are suitably secured together as by the welds 54-. Each of the follower plates is provided with a central aperture 56 which apertures are in registry as will be apparent in FIGURES 7, 8 and 9. The follower plates 50 and 52 pursuant to the present modification mount a wiper gasket 58. The wiper gasket 58 is provided with an annular hollow tubular body 60 which is provided with an inwardly extending finger or tail 62. As best shown in FIGURE 10, the tail s2 on the wiper gasket 58 is clamped between the companion follower plates 50 and 52.

In operation the wiper gasket 58 operates in the same fashion as the wiper gasket 40. In both cases while the wiper gasket is seated in the seat 24 as shown in FIGURE 1 and in FIGURE 7, the wiper gasket 40 is in its fully extended condition as is the case with the tubular body portion 60 of the wiper gasket 58. However, when the follower plates 50 and 52 are moved downwardly as indicated by the arrows 42, the hollow tubular body 60 of the gasket 58 is compressed between the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 16 and the rims 64 of the follower plates as best shown in FIGURE 10. The squeezed gasket body 60 then applies a superior wiping action to the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 16 in the same manner that the squeezed gasket 40 applied in the previously described embodiment. It will be noted that the apertures 56 are also normally covering by an adhesive strip 38 which is removed therefrom in the direction of the arrow 66v in FIGURE 7 prior to depression of the follower plates. With the adhesive covering strip 38 removed and with the follower plate gasket assembly urged onwardly, as indicated by the arrows 42, the material 26 moves upwardly through the apertures 56 as indicated by the arrows 44 and 46 as previously described.

Referring now to FIGURES 11 and 12 there is illustrated a modified form of wiper gasket 58A which is the same as the gasket 58 except that in lieu of the hollow tubular body 60 there is provided a solid cylindrical body 60A which is provided with a finger or tail 62. It will be understood that the gasket 58A is formed of the same material as the gasket 40A, preferably sponge rubber, so that it can be readilyv squeezed or compressed as shown in FIGURE 12. It will be notedthat the gasket 58A is clamped between the follower plates -52 in: the same manner as the gasket 58 is clamped therebetween. More specifically, the tail 62 on the wiper gasket: 53A is clamped between the plates which are secured together by means of the welds 54. With the gasket; seated in the expanded step 24 the cylindrical gasket: portion A is in its fully expanded position. However, when the follower assembly is moved downwardly as indicated by the arrows 42 in FIGURE 12 of the solid. cylindrical body 60A is moved downwardly along the: inner surface of the cylindrical Wall 16 and compressed between the wall and the follower plate ri-ms 64 in the same manner as previously described in connection with FIGURE 10. This provides the highly superior wiping action which provides a sanitary cleansing of the inner surface of cylindrical wall 16. as well as making available through the apertures 46 a maximum amount of the contents of the can body 12.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that there has been illustrated and described a highly novel dispensing container which is provided with a highly novel follower plate gasket assembly which provides a highly sanitary wiping action as well as a highly efficient seal so that the maximum amount of the contents of the can or container may be dispensed therefrom. It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein without however departing from the basic inventive concept of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A dispensing container comprising a hollow cylindrical body open at the top and-closed at the bottom, and an apertured follower plate means mounted for movement longitudinally of said body, said follower plate means having a peripheral annular flange which is inclined outwardly toward said body, and a resilient wiper gasket mounted on said flange, said wiper gasket being compressed between the inner surface of said body and said flange to provide a wiping action on said inner surface in response to movement of said follower plate means toward the bottom of said body to dispense the contents of said body through the apertured follower plate means, said flange and said gasket being relatively dimensioned to permit for movement of said gasket upwardly of said flange in response to said movement of said follower plate means.

2. A dispensing container comprising a hollow cylindrical body open at the top and closed at the bottom, and an apertured follower plate means mounted for movement longitudinally of said body, said follower plate means having a peripheral annular flange, and a resilient wiper gasket mounted on said flange, said wiper gasket being compressed between the inner surface of said body and said flange to provide a wiping action on said inner surface in response to movement of said follower plate means toward the bottom of said body to dispense the contents of said body through the apertured follower plate means, said flange and said gasket being relatively dimensioned to permit for movement of said gasket upwardly of said flange in response to said movement of said follower plate means, said flange extending outwardly and upwardly from said follower plate, whereby said wiper gasket is compressed and moved upwardly and outwardly along said flange in response to said movement of said follower plate.

3. A dispensing container as in claim 2, wherein said flange is provided with a detent to limit said upward movement of said gasket.

4. A dispensing container as in claim 2, wherein said gasket is in the form of a resilient annulus which has a diametrical dimension substantially less than the linear dimension of said flange.

5. A dispensing container comprising a hollow cylindrical body open at the top and closed at the bottom, and an apertured follower plate means mounted for movement longitudinally of said body, said follower plate means having an outwardly flared peripheral annular flange, and a resilient wiper gasket mounted on said flange for bodily movement relative thereto, said wiper gasket being compressed between the inner surface of said body and said flange to provide a wiping action on said inner surface in response to movement of said follower plate means toward the bottom of said body to dispense the contents of said body through the apertured follower plate means.

6. A dispensing container comprising a hollow cylindrical body open at the top and closed at the bottom, and an apertured follower plate means mounted for movement longitudinally of said body, said follower plate means having a peripheral annular flange, and a resilient wiper gasket mounted on said flange for bodily movement relative thereto, said wiper gasket compressed between the inner surface of said body and said flange to provide a wiping action on said inner surface in response to movement of said follower plate means toward the bottom of said body to dispense the contents of said body through the apertured follower plate means, said flange extending outwardly and upwardly from said follower plate, whereby said wiper gasket is compressed upwardly and outwardly along said flange in response to said movement of said follower plate and said flange being provided with an outer lip at the upper end thereof to provide a detent for limiting said bodily movement of said gasket.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,601,169 6/1952 Purvis 222-386 X 2,630,248 3/1953 Hinz 222-259 X 2,767,890 10/1956 Carter 222-259 X 2,768,661 10/1956 Tyler 222386 X 2,997,215 8/1961 Chinchole 222-334 RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Primary Examiner.

HADD S. LANE, LOUIS I. DEMBO, Examiners. 

1. A DISPENSING CONTAINER COMPRISING A HOLLOW CYLINDRICAL BODY OPEN AT THE TOP AND CLOSED AT THE BOTTOM, AND AN APERTURED FOLLOWER PLATE MEANS MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID BODY, SAID FOLLOWER PLATE MEANS HAVING A PERIPHERAL ANNULAR FLANGE WHICH IS INCLINED OUTWARDLY TOWARD SAID BODY, AND A RESILIENT WIPER GASKET MOUNTED ON SAID FLANGE, SAID WIPER GASKET BEING COMPRESSED BETWEEN THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID BODY AND SAID FLANGE TO PROVIDE A WIPING ACTION ON SAID INNER SURFACE IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF SAID FOLLOWER PLATE MEANS TOWARD THE BOTTOM OF SAID BODY TO DISPENSE THE CONTENTS 